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Welcome to my blog about hockey - mainly about the Buffalo Sabres. Here you'll find my thoughts and opinions about the game of hockey. There will be times where I'll stray off-topic and I'll post about other things that I feel the need to blog about, but for the most part this is my blog for hockey. I hope you enjoy reading!

Who am I?

Hi! My name is Caroline. I'm a recent college grad (Public Communication) from Buffalo, NY. I enjoy traveling, hockey, photography, bike rides, theatre, movies, music, and just spending time with my family and friends. And the occasional blogging of course.

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If you'd like to contact me with questions, comments, grievances, or just to say hi...feel free to e-mail me athnib30 [at] gmail [dot] com

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I am in no way affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres or the NHL. I am simply a fan and this blog should not be used as an accredited news source. Please take whatever I say with a grain of salt. Most of the images that I use are either from Sabres.com, NHL.com, or GettyImages.com. If I happen to post an image that is yours and you would like credit, please e-mail me at hnib30 [at] gmail [dot] com and I will gladly credit you or remove the image at your request.

The photo used for the Hockey Night in Buffalo banner was taken by Mike Lynaugh.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Opportunity Knocks

...And the Sabres did not answer. What a damn shame. The task was a difficult one, but it was simple enough. Win the five remaining games of the season and they're in the playoffs. No help needed from other teams, their destiny was in their own hands. But as we've seen countless times this season, the Sabres just find ways to make it harder on themselves. So now they're in a position where they do have to get help from other teams in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

I didn't think the Sabres played terrible last night, just two unfortunate goals and it's a whole new game. The Devils are probably the last team in the league you'd want to be down 2 goals by, because they've turned protecting a lead into an artform. They have a frustrating defense and the best goalie (maybe ever?) in the league on their side. The second period was certainly a frustrating one, as they only registered 4 shots on goal...but you have to give credit to a good Devils team for that as well. I believe at one point Harry Neale said the Sabres had only registered 13 shots on goal during the whole game so far, while 13 shots were blocked by the Devils or something like that.

Couldn't believe that Parise took down Miller like that. Looked like he slashed him first and then took his feet out from under him. Looked frightenly familiar to the Gomez collison that injured Ryan in the first place. But I was really proud of Timmy to come in and flatten Parise after the hit. Connolly isn't the player you'd expect to do something like that, but he earned a lot of respect from me to see him act uncharacteristicly to protect our goalie. And of course, it was awesome to see Ryan get involved and go after Parise and Langenbrunner. I think anyone who has read my blog before is already aware of how much I enjoy seeing Ryan when he's all fired up and not his usual calm, level-headed self.

The Sabres made things interesting by coming out strong in the third and registering 23 shots and cutting their goal deficit to just one. But deep down I knew it was just going to be too little, too late. Things brightened up when New Jersey took a penalty to give us a 6-on-4 power play with the goalie pulled...but the clock was our enemy as there was only 34 seconds left to play. Shame.

Part of me is screaming that they could not get the task done, but the other part of me is just apathetic about it. I don't know... The biggest thing for me is that this season just went by way too fast and I'm really going to miss our boys once it comes to a close. I don't know why I care so much about a group of guys who I don't even know personally. But I do. I mean, of course I know why...they represent our city and they play on our beloved hockey team. So I get it. It's just strange to think about how devoted I am to these guys. I always hear people say, "I wish I didn't care so much." but I know that they really don't mean it. It's fun to be a fan. Even through the bad times. It's nice knowing that we've got a sports team to devote ourselves to and how following them can take our minds off the more "serious" things going on in our lives. It gives us a sense of togetherness and a sense of pride. I like it.

So tomorrow is my final game of the season. I'll be there wearing my Miller MSU jersey (speaking of Michigan State, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA Championship last night!) and hoping for a win. The Red Wings are always a tough opponent but I think they're a fun one. They can be frustrating just because they're such a good team. You just have to respect an organization like them. Plus Datsyuk is one of my favorite players in the league. Hopefully he doesn't have any highlight-reel goals tomorrow, though. When they interviewed Miller last night I could see his new mask behind him. I wonder if he'll wear it tomorrow? They are wearing their thirds. I couldn't see much of it but the colors looked vibrant. I'm interested to see it. It sounds neat.

Today I took a walk in the Elmwood Village with my mom and two of my dogs (I have three). It's always nice to walk around there because when the weather is nice everyone is always out and about with their friends, family, and dogs of course. There is this new candy shop that I wanted to go in but since I had my dogs I didn't go in. I've been really in the mood for those shark gummies lately. You know which ones I'm talking about? They are blue ontop and white on the bottom. Anyways, I've been in the mood for them lately for some unknown reason and I checked the bulk section at both Wegmans and Tops but to no avail. My quest continues. Hopefully everyone had a good weekend. Now quit reading this blog and go out and enjoy the lovely weather while it lasts.

12 comments:

I don't mean to pick a fight, but Parise didn't actually take Miller out at all. He went to the boards to play the puck- as did Ryan.. and MILLER stuck his skate out and tripped Parise as he was passing behind him- which is why he fell. Then Timmay came in and started a ruckus. I think that was a little over-reaction from Tim- but I like the sentiment behind it. It was NOT like what happened with Gomez- in that case, Gomez could have avoided a collision, instead he hit Miller head on and then sat on him.

Both times I was AT the game, sitting a few rows away in the corner.

I like that the boys were keeping people away from Miller but Parise really didn't do anything wrong and he was tripped. Did you notice that when the fracas was done, he skated by Ryan and tapped his pads? That was a classy move.

I don't know why I care so much about a group of guys who I don't even know personally. But I do.

My thoughts exactly. It's nice to know I'm not the only person who is so attached to this group of guys. You just get used to seeing them in the arena, on TV, out and about in the city...it feels empty to have a season without their pretty faces in it.

He went to the boards to play the puck- as did Ryan.. and MILLER stuck his skate out and tripped Parise as he was passing behind him- which is why he fell.

I didn't think Parise intentionally tripped Miller, but from the angle they showed on TV, it looked like Parise definitely slashed Ryan while Miller's back was facing Parise. It definietly wasn't overzealous of Timmy to come in and level Parise. Because whether it was intentional or not, there has to be a message sent by the team that our goalie's will not be run without any consequence...especially Miller who is our franchise goalie who is just coming off an injury. I wish our players did it more often.

And I did hear that Parise tapped Miller's pads after it was over with. It was nice of him to acknowledge what he did and the scrum that he caused.

My thoughts exactly. It's nice to know I'm not the only person who is so attached to this group of guys. You just get used to seeing them in the arena, on TV, out and about in the city...it feels empty to have a season without their pretty faces in it.

For real. Last summer, around late August I started a few of the boys around the city and it got me excited. I was like, "Ah yes, another Sabre sighting...hockey will be here before I know it!"

I didn't think Parise intentionally tripped Miller, but from the angle they showed on TV, it looked like Parise definitely slashed Ryan while Miller's back was facing Parise.

They were both playing the puck and Parise got tripped.

I don't think it was bad of Timmy to step up, but the 2-handed cross-check to the back was a bit much. That's all. No real harm was done to anyone and that is good. A message was sent, which is also good.

so really, it's all good. (except the Sabres lost but that wasn't the issue..)

I don't think it was bad of Timmy to step up, but the 2-handed cross-check to the back was a bit much. That's all. No real harm was done to anyone and that is good. A message was sent, which is also good.

so really, it's all good. (except the Sabres lost but that wasn't the issue..)

If Miller was the one who tripped Parise and caused the whole altercation, then I don't think Ryan would have been as pissed as he was about it. It's uncharacteristic of him to act like that, and he was pissed that there was no call on the play and he went after Parise because of what happened. If he was the one at fault, I just don't think he would have reacted that way. They showed numerous replays of it and RJ, Harry, and Rayzor all pointed out how Parise slashed Ryan before Miller fell. I'm not calling it dirty, but I'm not calling it an accident either...

I was glad to see Timmy stand up for Ryan (and Ryan stand up for himself) and it was nice that Parise apologized.

Sam... how would have Ryan seen Parise coming from behind and then stick his skate out to trip him up? I hope you aren't saying Ryan did that intentionally... I surely don't think Ryan would have freaked as he did if he tripped up Parise on purpose. If you did note before hand on SEVERAL occasions before the questioned altercation that Miller had to shove several NJ players out of his crease and not to mention what happened with Ovie the night before. So for Ryan to go all spider monkey on someone from his own doing would be insane. And why would Parise apologize to Ryan if Ryan tripped him up? Makes no sense... Just saying.

Anyway...

Caroline... I bleed blue and gold, you know that. I love my boys no matter what happens. I will never sway. It saddens me to see this happen to them or shall I say they do it to them selves... UGH! I do get what they mean by wishing they didn't care so much. When you see them fall so many times and you keep cheering them on... it wears on you. BUT I will never sway no matter how pissed I get at them or as much as I want to change the channel... I don't because I still believe there might be a chance. I still have hope. And when this season ends... next year is on baby! My boys will come back 110% better!

I love love love that Ryan stuck up for himself. I think he just had enough over the past few and boiled over.

When you see them fall so many times and you keep cheering them on... it wears on you.

Oh for sure. I've said numerous times before to myself that this team is going to make me develop a stomach ulcer. They can be real frustrating and the results of their games can even change my mood the next day. I can wake up feeling rejuvinated ready to take on the day or I'll just wake up and think, "Fuck this...I'm sleeping in."

But sitting back and thinking about it, it's almost refreshing in a way to see how much I care about them...sort of crazy in a way. I just like the fact that I have a sports team that is "mine". I like all kinds of sports and I enjoy watching a lot of them, but nothing will ever come close to how I feel about the Sabres. And it's nice to embrace that. Even when we sit here and bash them as if we know what it's like to be a hockey player/run a hockey team...it's our way of saying that we care!

I'm not saying that Zach didn't have contact with Ryan behind the net- but he was coming in to play the puck, Miller got there first.. there was a little jostling and then I saw Miller's skate go back and trip Parise..

after which Parise gets a little bump by someone.. can't remember who- quite deserved- at the edge of the crease, then a vicious cross-check from behind by an enraged Connolly. Just thought that was a little out of whack for Timmy and the penalty he received was deserved.

Don't get me wrong, I do love Ryan Miller and I appreciate that he and the boys were standing up for themselves/each other on their turf. But what Parise did was not a dirty play (and not at all like Gomez' nastiness)and didn't deserve a penalty (it didn't get one either, and that wasn't the refs being blind). Just wanted to point that out.

Connolly was the player who came in and flattened Parise in front of the crease...I missed the crosscheck as I was focused on the rest of the skirmish that was developing.

And for what it's worth...I never thought Gomez's hit on Miller was dirty. Was he trying to come into contact with Miller? Yes. Was he trying to injure him? I don't think so. I guess one can make the argument that the fact that he was trying to come into contact with Miller in the first place is dirty in itself. But whatever.

From what I orignally saw (and then saw several times again in the replay) was Parise first slash Ryan and then Ryan fell after he and Parise came into contact with another.

But when it's all said and done it was just a part of the game that had no effect on the outcome...although it's nice to see our guys finally take a stand when our goalies get bumped. Hopefully we continue to see it in the future.

But when it's all said and done it was just a part of the game that had no effect on the outcome...although it's nice to see our guys finally take a stand when our goalies get bumped. Hopefully we continue to see it in the future.